One for the Experts - Only (Oil usage)

Let me chime in...I have an '04 with 196,500 miles, 2 months ago, a chime went off, the red triangle came on and in the MFD the word PROBLEM appeared, then both triangle and problem disappeared. I wrote about it here, and someone said check the oil...empty. It had been 12,000 miles since I had changed it, I forgot and ignore the maintenance lite, I have always used the best synthetic, and up til this time change oil at 5K sometimes 7K. The mechanic said I probably had about 1 to 1 1/2 quarts still in the case...it's still running, but they said "you're burning oil". It's now 3K since last oil change, down a quart or less, of course I will now change oil at 5K, would any of the ring freeing items mentioned above be advised? or??

You put 0w-20 in a Gen II? Or did you mean Gen III?

Toyota recommends 0-20 in Gen II

Wow, I didn't know that. Here in southern california there is no need for lower viscosity oils. At first I thought you guys were nuts, but after some research I see you're right. Iv'e used 0w-30 in my Gen II for a while with no problems.

anyone know why Gen 1 is 5w30? Seems like it is basically the same engine. Why isn't it also 0w20?

Both the manual and the oil cap on the engine of my gen 2 Prius (US model year 2009) say 5W30. Maybe the specs for some other regions are different?

TMS USA has not recommended 0W-20 in Classic or 2G Prius. If anyone has a document issued by TMS USA which contradicts my statement, please post it.

Toyota distributors in other countries may allow a wider oil viscosity range in those Prius model years, but not TMS USA.

This is very true but many here in the US use 0w20 in their Gen2's. It is approved in Canada and afaik the Gen2's in Canada are the same as ours here in the US.

I have been resisting using it but last week I bought 0w20 for my next change. Unless I chicken out!

It's a little bit warmer in the Southern US.

The two oils are only have 2.2 cSt @ 100C viscosity difference, even less at higher temperatures. That is why I think there is a lot of back specifying going on, there isn't really too much difference in them.

Yes, I don't dispute that some 2G owners have decided at their own risk to use 0W-20. If you live in a northern state and your climate is like that found in Canada or Japan, then no worries and you may find your mpg improves 5%. However if you face very hot summer weather then you may find your engine consuming more oil than normal.

xW-20 is 5.6-9.3 cSt at 100C, xW-30 is 9.3-12.5 cSt. The difference could be less that 2.2 cSt (unlikely) or considerably more than 2.2cSt which is likely.

So you used 2qt over 12k miles...
1qt every 6k miles seems very reasonable to me with 196k miles on your engine
Not sure you could expect much more from a cleaner

Why not add makeup oil to maintain level and extend your synthetic oil until it is spent?
Changing quality synthetic at 5k seems premature

Always check your oil at least every other fill up. Even if your car isn't consuming a noticeable amount of oil, high consumption can start suddenly.

I use a "combo" mixture of 0w-20 + 5w-30. The Gen-II oil cap as well as owner's manual both specify 5w-30. However, I decided to take a chance going lighter than 5w-30 since my engine does not consume any oil at all & so far this combo has been working great. Engine starts smoother with lesser vibration than straight 5w-30. I am reluctant however, to use 0w-20 straight, I think the Gen-II engine's tolerance isn't designed to accommodate it & doing so would be asking for excessive consumption.